What is the lightest, strongest flat-bladed canoe paddle?

[boatbuster]

I really like a flat blade, but it seems all high end paddles now (Werner, Aquabound, etc) are curved. Thanks for any input.

[NateOC]

Mitchell will make you a flat carbon paddle---I think.

[Craig Smerda]

Yuck... you may as well paddle with an old broom.

Why would you want a flat bladed paddle again?

[Sir Adam]

For durability and a light paddle in my experience Rough Stuff is the best....and I'm pretty sure if you contact them they'll make what you want.

For a good, solid, light paddle Mitchell and others do great work....

Good luck on your quest!

[boatbuster]

help at all

"Yuck... you may as well paddle with an old broom.

Why would you want a flat bladed paddle again?"

Implies that I have ever paddled with anything else. I've used a harmony horizon line for so long the once square tipped blade is now completely rounded.

You are entitled to your opinion, but personal preferences are just that. Why would I paddle with a flat blade? Because they are completely symetrical for both power and non-power face strokes and for rolling.

I will check out Mitchell but if they are really pricey maybe I will get a Bailey stick.

[Larry Horne]

i loved those harmony paddles too! i wore three of em down...... didn't break any of em!

[dixie_boater]

For strength expect it to weigh a little more. Consider a Bailey stick with either his medium oval or problade. Much stronger and longer lasting than the other brands you mentioned. Get it with the carbon covered blade and a dynel shaft sleeve. Might have to wait a while to get it, but it's worth the wait. One of those Alabama open boaters call him the Picasso of paddle makers. I'd hafta' agree with that assessment. I love my problade. Absolutely beautiful wood shaft with a very nice sculpted tee grip.

Even Craig (or is it decker..don't know which to call him )would agree a Bailey stick is the best for your money.

The Mitchell paddle has a much shorter lead time. It took Bailey close to nine months to deliver my paddle.

Michael

[Jim P]

Very light - especially in the paddle feel. The balance point is much further up the shaft than most paddles giving them a lighter feel when paddling than the scales would indicate. Very smooth in the water, no flutter, clean underwater recovery etc. They have a lighter feel in the water than Baileys sticks based on the couple I have tried.

The edges are already rounded when they are made - since they will end up that way eventually!

Very durable - my first stick has three plus years with about 60 days per year on it. Lots of abuse - bottom/rock braces. I still have not worn though the dynel tips despite pushing off of rocks when needed.

He will make a custom grip for you based on your hand size. send him pictures/drawings etc. to get what you want. Shaft is typically indexed with a full dynel sock.

I told him my history with breaking paddles and requested he build it for expedition strength. Perhaps a bit heaver than normal but I never notice it on the water. Like I said he works hard to keep the wieght down in the blade while maintaining strength.

Typical turnaround from order to delivery is 6 weeks. Once you get one, you will not want to use it they are so well made - a work of art.

[boatbuster]

Yeah, that is one of my concerns with either the Bailey stick, Jimi or maybe even the Mitchell. Those custom made wood paddles are going to be so nice I might be afraid to use them! Then there is the price. I might have to sell a boat or two to get one, which would not necessarilly be a bad thing with the basement starting to get full the way it is!

So I guess there aren't any factory made flat bladed paddles out there for whitewater anymore except the Werner Nantahala?

Thanks again guys.